Hope

I went to storytime at the library today with the girls and a Mom from Brody's class. We had a lovely time. Brody and Evelyn are nearly the same ages as her kids. I love watching all the little kids at storytime. I wore my, as Evelyn says, "the Rock" Obama shirt and was complemented.

I was berated today by a very good friend for supporting Obama. She sees my idealism and liberalism as something of which to be ashamed. She insinuated that I needed to pull my head out of my ass (her words). I got the idea that she, as a so-called realist, doesn't like the idea of hope. She has no faith in human nature. Certainly, hope alone doesn't fix an economy or break down racial barriers. Hope, however, has for generations coaxed along positive changes in our society. America was formed as the ideal society representing the majority and protecting the minority. America has had many shameful and bleak periods, but the hopes and dreams of its people have always brought us through. From the Statue of Liberty, to Martin Luther King, to the Great Society and beyond, America is, if not perfect, hopeful. The American spirit cannot be broken. Obama has inspired us to be hopeful once again. He has huge problems to deal with, I make no qualms. We can get through this. Yes we can.

I'm proud to be an American today.